NBA exhibition notebook: Misleading merchandise

Former Oklahoma standout and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin was unable to participate in Sunday's exhibition game at the Cox Convention Center after reportedly cutting his foot swimming in the ocean.

Russell Westbrook talks with Damien Wilkins before the US Fleet Tracking Basketball Invitational at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011. The White Team defeated the Blue Team 176-171. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

The event initially was dubbed as a showdown between Griffin and the Thunder's Kevin Durant.

Though Griffin was not in attendance, T-shirts promoting "Durant Versus Griffin Showdown" were sold in the arena.

LARGE GATHERING

The crowd was estimated at 13,000, which is roughly 400 shy of a sellout at the Cox Convention Center. It is the largest crowd for any NBA exhibition game in the United States this summer. The previous high being 4,800 at Morgan State in Baltimore.

Players are not allowed to hold exhibitions in NBA facilities during the lockout.

NO-SHOWS

Other no-shows included Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks, Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and the Thunder's Kendrick Perkins.

Rudy Gay of Memphis arrived in the fourth quarter, but did not play. Thunder first-round draft choice Reggie Jackson of Boston College was a late addition to the White Team roster.

“KD told me this is just how the fans were, so it was fun,” Jackson said. “I got to be around a bunch of All-Stars. I had fun just watching for the most part.”

FOUL TROUBLE

With 2:56 remaining in overtime, Durant picked up his fifth personal foul, which is one short of disqualification in an NBA game.